HRC Supporters: Reproductive Rights ARE Women's Rights

This diary is addressed to the many, many female supporters of Hillary Clinton who I have heard over the weekend claim they will either not vote or vote for John McCain in November due to their belief that Clinton is losing the election due to inherent sexism in the system--the media, the Democratic leadership, etc..

First of all, I can name many, many other reasons why Clinton is losing this race, her vote in support of the Iraq War Resolution to name only one.  But leave that aside for now.  What I am hearing from these women is that they believe there is some inherent unfairness in our society that is posing an insurmountable barrier to a well-qualified female candidate.  And I doubt any reasoning on the part of us Obama supporters is going to change that belief at this point.

What I am here to do is to challenge these people quite seriously to examine their true, core beliefs.  Do you believe women should have equal rights with men?  Do you believe society is inherently unbalanced in favor of men?  Do you believe Clinton is suffering from such an unbalance?

IF THAT IS SO YOU CANNOT IN ALL GOOD FAITH CONTEMPLATE VOTING FOR MCCAIN IN NOVEMBER.

I know these people are well aware that the balance of the Supreme Court is at stake, and the landmark ruling of Roe v. Wade which granted women basic rights over their own bodies.  What I'm not sure they realize is that control over our own reproduction does not only affect our personal lives, it affects the political power of women in general.

Societies where women do not choose if and when to bear children will always be the most oppressive possible.  It is a basic fact of nature that over a whole population, women who have children will be responsible for them both legally and financially whether or not they get assistance from the father.  And that inevitably tips the balance of power towards men.  Men have historically been freer to pursue high-end jobs and to earn higher salaries.  Women are moving in that direction, but being the primary caregiver in most cases (though not all) means that they have less TIME and less MONEY to devote to pursuing political causes, even if those causes directly affect them, such as child care and health care.  Is it any wonder that causes meaningful to women did not received the attention they deserved until very recently in our history?

I will go so far as to say that Hillary Clinton herself probably would not have risen anywhere near where she is today if it were not for Roe v. Wade and the new control it gave women over their familial choices.

CONTROL OVER OUR REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES IS THE BEDROCK OF WOMEN'S POLITICAL POWER and social power as well.

That is why if you vote McCain you are directly undermining the equality women have achieved so far and ensuring an even less equal future for your daughters and mine.  Is that really what you want?